3 Steps to Stop Your Dog From Using the Bathroom Inside

“How do I stop her from pooping in my house?  She goes out, but will not poop.”

Chenata,

Thanks for contacting us regarding your problem.  Defecation and urination in the home may be one of the most frustrating and hardest habits to break that a dog can exhibit.

There are three steps that every owner can take that may eliminate this problem:

1.  Get your dog on a regular potty schedule that corresponds with their accidents.  It’s not enough just to take your dog outside to use the bathroom.  You need to know her needs and respond accordingly.  It’s important to recognize that you may be taking her out when she isn’t ready to go potty.
When she uses the bathroom (either inside or outside), write that down.  Then, figure out how long ago she ate/drank water.  These two things are very closely linked, and once you find the pattern your on your way to resolving this issue.

2.  Crate your dog when you can’t watch them.  The crate is typically a place that a dog won’t use the bathroom.  While this is not always true due to genetics and poor shaping when they’re young, most dogs will hold off using the bathroom until they can do it in a place that they won’t touch it.

3.  Create and use marker noises to tell your dog when they have done something right.  Marker noises are created by making a consistent noise (kissy noise, the word “YES!”, or a toy squeaker), and then immediately giving them a treat (immediately means <1.3 seconds).  Think Pavlov’s dog.  Done correctly, this will replace all of the other words that you use to tell a dog how great they are…  “Good Boy!”, “Good Girl”, “Who’s Momma’s favorite dog?!”.  The idea is that a consistent noise is more clear to your dog than all of the phrases that you normally use.  It will typically take about one week of training (3 times a day x 5 minute sessions), to make this noise mean “Good Dog!”, to your dog.

Once the marker noise is in place, you can use that outside when they start to go to the bathroom.  Your dog isn’t going to the bathroom in the house for any other reason than it works for her, and she doesn’t think it’s a problem.  It’s up to you to teach her otherwise.

I hope this helps, but if you feel like you need more direct assistance, please give me a call and I’ll be happy to help.

Sincerely,
Andrew Wildesen